Last week I was invited to speak at a women’s group at my church. I have been invited - and spoken - before (twice before actually…I’ve lived here a long time!) As the guests gathered and I was setting up my computer (not my forte), the woman who invited me gave me a hug and said, “Thank you for saying yes.” It was a warm and welcoming gesture, but I was a bit taken aback. Of course I would say ‘yes,’ I thought.

I begin most of my talks with a similar sentiment: It’s always a privilege to share my story… And I mean it. It IS always a privilege to share it, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy to share. When I first started speaking, it was a privilege to share my story, but it was also difficult because I was so nervous! Speaking did not come naturally to me then, and I’m sure (in fact, I know) I wasn’t very good at it. As my husband once commented, “Your message is fantastic, but your delivery needs a lot of work.” He was right.

But I kept being invited, and I got better as I became more comfortable, because I kept saying yes.

Yes got harder as my family’s life got busier. My husband was frequently traveling for work, I was in graduate school, and I had two busy, active, activity-laden boys. So saying yes meant juggling schedules, asking for help, relying on friends, and a supportive spouse who always encouraged me to say yes, even when I left him with two young kids for a week in a hurricane. Saying yes wasn’t easy, but it was important.

Sharing my story can be exhausting, but it reinvigorates me and feeds my soul. I leave each talk with a renewed heart to continue sharing, giving, doing more; and with each talk, I discover a reason why I am there. This past week was no different. I have continued conversations with women I met that night; conversations on how to help a loved one who is struggling, a family member who was injured and is hurting. Each talk provides the opportunity to help someone.

How could I say anything but yes.